Premier League Final Day Preview: Top Five Fight, Mo Salah’s Hunt for Records and More | OneFootball

Premier League Final Day: Salah’s Shot at History and Europe’s Final Puzzle

As the Premier League season approaches its climax, the title has long

since been decided, and the relegation drama never truly materialised. Yet, what remains is far from meaningless. The fight for Champions League and Europa League qualification, individual honours, and a few historical footnotes will provide the final chapter of a campaign marked more by consistency at the top than chaos at the bottom.

All ten fixtures kick off simultaneously at 16:00 BST on Sunday, ensuring every late twist plays out in real-time.

Europe’s Jigsaw Still Unsold

While Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham have confirmed their Champions League berths — the latter courtesy of their Europa League triumph — much remains uncertain beneath them. Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Chelsea all know that victory would see them into Europe’s premier competition, assuming the unlikely doesn’t happen in the form of a wild swing in goal difference.

Manchester City need only draw at Fulham unless something extraordinary unfolds elsewhere. Newcastle, meanwhile, are safe in at least the Conference League due to their Carabao Cup success but will be targeting higher ground. Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest, whose own European hopes hinge on a perfect combination of victory and favourable results elsewhere.

Photo: IMAGO

Aston Villa also remain mathematically in contention for the Champions League but require several pieces to fall into place, not least points dropped by those above them.

Sixth place guarantees a Europa League spot, and eighth could sneak into the Conference League – depending on results in both the league and the Conference League final, where Chelsea could yet tilt the scales if they fall out of the top seven and still win in midweek.

Brighton and Brentford remain outside hopefuls. Brighton need just a point to secure eighth, but if they falter and Brentford win, the Bees would leapfrog them – though that would only matter if eighth ends up opening a European door.

Salah’s Pursuit of History

For Mohamed Salah, Sunday is more than a farewell to a successful domestic season. It’s a chance to further cement his legacy in Premier League folklore.

Having scored 27 goals in the first 28 games, he seemed poised to challenge Erling Haaland’s record of 36 goals in a Premier League season. A recent dry spell has curtailed that charge, but Salah remains on track to win his fourth Golden Boot, five goals ahead of Alexander Isak with one match to play.

Photo: IMAGO

Another record in his sights is the most goal involvements in a single Premier League campaign. Salah has 28 goals and 18 assists, one behind the joint record held by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole (34 goals and 13 assists). With a home fixture against Crystal Palace, the stage is set.

Assists-wise, he’s also within reach of matching the all-time single-season record of 20, held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. And while he remains a long shot for the European Golden Shoe, Salah would need four goals to surpass Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. It’s improbable, but not impossible.

Regardless of individual awards, one thing is assured – Salah will lift the Premier League trophy at Anfield. For a player so integral to Liverpool’s recent success, it’s a fitting conclusion to another season of brilliance.

Gloves On: The Battle for Clean Sheets

In what’s often the most overlooked individual prize, the Golden Glove could be shared this season. David Raya of Arsenal and Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest each have 13 clean sheets. If both concede or both shut out the opposition, the award will be split.

The current record for the fewest clean sheets required to win the award is 14, set by Joe Hart in 2014–15. This season could fall just short, a testament to how much attacking football has flourished across the league.

Lowlands of History: Spurs and Saints Eye Records for Opposite Reasons

Tottenham supporters are still riding the wave of their Europa League victory in Bilbao. Despite a disappointing domestic campaign that sees them languishing in 17th, they’ve guaranteed Champions League football next season. If they remain below 14th, they’ll set a new record for the lowest league finish by a European trophy winner.

At the opposite end, Southampton, already long relegated, could set an unwanted Premier League record with a 30th defeat if they lose to Arsenal. That would eclipse the current mark of 29 shared by Ipswich, Sunderland, Derby, and Sheffield United.

As the final whistles blow across the Premier League, the biggest prizes may already be awarded, but for clubs chasing European dreams and players like Mohamed Salah on the brink of history, the last day still holds weight and wonder.